Method and apparatus for making articles



y Nov. 9, 1943. c w. LEGUILLON ET'AL 2,334,105

` METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES Filed July 29, 1959 7 Sheets-Shep?I l Nov. 9, 1943. c. w. LEGUILLON' E'rAl. 2,334,105

METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES I Nov. 9, 1943. c. w. LEGUILLON ETAI. 2,334,105

I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES Filed July 29, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 9, 1943. c. w. LEGulLLoN E1-Al. l 2,334,105

' I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES Filed July 29, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 (HMT NV- A9, 1943. c. w. I EGUxLLoNv E'r Al. 2,334,105

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES Filed July 29, 1959 f/'sheets-sneez 5 aww fnix

'x--gf-fu m2770225 .d-li 209 7755/55 2f-.ZE U17/Dn J F17? 207 y/ 206 203 7.7727 FEPIEEL j 205 gJ-vM/f NOV- 9, 1943. c. w. LEGulLLoN ETAL 2,334,105

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES Filed July 29, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 9, 1943. c. W. L EGulLLoN ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTICLES Filed July 29, 1939 7 Sheets--Sheetl '7 Patented Nov. 9, 1943 narran STAT-Es" lajram ortica METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon MAKING ARTrcLns Charles W. Iieguillon and Otto F. Homeier, Akron, l Ohio, assignors to The B. F. GoodrichCompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation i New York Application July'29, 1939, Se1i`a1-N0. 287,329

16 Claims.

This invention relates to kmethods and appa-A ratus for making articles and isk especially useful in the manufacture of articles such as tire elements comprising rubber-like material. l

In the manufacture of many articles, such as tire inner tubes and tire casings and the like employing rubber-like` plastic materials, it is usually required that the manufacture be divided not rigidly secured to a conveyorv system, to prof vide an arrangement such that power mechanism need not be transported but may be applied to traveling work supporting and manipulating units presented to it, and to providev ilexibility;4

in the positioning of thesunits such that operating power at a station will beeffectively ap-y plied even though the unit arrives only approxi--` mately `aligned at vthe station.

Further objects are to provide procedure and,

apparatus for splicing inner tubes with facility and uniformly high quality results, and espec,- ially to provide for utilizing most effectively on a large quantity production basis the tube splicing procedure of Leguillon Patent No. 1,921,623

,granted August 8, 1933, which isdirected Yto af procedure utilizing an aqueous dispersion ofrubber in a manner to obtain strong splices.`

These and other objects will'appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings. d i Of the drawings y y 1 is a plan view of anexample `of appa# ratus embodying the invention as applied toa i tube-splicing apparatus. y

Fig. 2 is a plan viewV to a largerlscale, of. a por-` tion of thelframe andV one of the mechanisms for feeding worlbmanipulating machines lengthywise thereof, other parts 0i the apparatus being broken. away, the carriages being removed `to show the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken on line 3-3' of Fig. 1 showing at the pressing station.

d Fig. l` isa detail sectional view taken `on line 4 4 of Fig., 3' showing the die latching Arneclria-rnism, other parts being broken away.

the mechanism Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. l showing the mechanism of feeding the work-manipulating machines longitudinally of' the frame, parts being broken away.

Fig- 6' is a plan of the safety valve and die operating` cams. Y

J Fig. T is a detail sectional plan View of the valve of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an`enlarged detail sectional elevation rof the shock absorber mechanisms, taken on line 8 84 of Fig; l, other partsrbeing broken away.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail View of the switch for operating the cross-feed and the bracket for partially closing the seaming, dies, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 1, other parts being broken away.

Fig. l0; is a detail cross-sectional elevation showing the die unlatching mechanismV and one of the feeding cylinder reversing switches, taken on line` l il-i El of Fig. 5, other parts being broken away. l

Fig. 1 1 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section ofthe seaming dies, taken on line I`I-Il of Fig,v ll showing the heated knife forl severing the wastematerial.l

Fig. '12 is aside elevation of the buiing mech-V anism,n showing in dot-and-dash lines its operative, position.

Fig. 1,3 is an 'endelevation ofv the same. Fig. lA is a detail View of one of the brushes and its drive shaft, parts being broken away and parts shown in section.

Fig.` l5 is a sectional view taken on line Iii-l5V of` Fig. 14. d N

Fig. ldis a sectional View taken on line iii-IS ofFig. 14j

Fig.` 17A is an enlarged cross sectional View,

ktaken on line Il--Il of Fig. 13.

Fig. 18 is a face view of one of the die members withf a tube cuiTed thereover showing in dotand-.dash lines various positions of the bung mechanism. y

Fig. 19is a piping and valve diagram.

Fig. 2D'is a wiring diagram.

The invention includes the provision' of a series of work-supporting and manipulating units or machines adapted to be actuated to perform operations on the work carried thereby, means, lQr feeding the work-supporting units or Worlfmanipulating machines in a determinate course, and means at stations for actuating the work-manipulatingmachines and for cooperating with them in the course of their travel to complete operations thereupon. The work-supportingunits are independent of one another in construction, the parts andv mechanism of each vention as applied to the splicing of unvulcan-I` -ized tire inner tubes in annular form prior to Vulcanization.

. In the drawings, the numeral I designates the table-like frame of the machine which may conveniently be formed of structural steel. The frame is of rectangular shape and is provided around its periphery with longitudinal members I I, 2 and lateral members I3, I4 providing fences for guiding and retaining the movable pressing units. Within the area defined by these fences and centrally located with respect thereto are shorter longitudinal fence members I5, I6 and lateral members I1, I8 defining a rectangular fence of the same elevation as'the fence members II, I2, I3, I4. The space between the two rectangular fences provides a path around which the tube seaming units are guided. Below the fences a sufficient distance to prevent escape of the seaming units, are longitudinal rails I9, 28,

2|, 22 and lateral rails 23, 24, 25, 26, 21, 28, 29, and 38 all fixed to the frame and at the same level over which the tube seaminp,r units may slide, the spa-ces between the rails permitting travel of means forpropelling the seaming units. The tube-seaming units each comprises a fiat general rectangular base 3| adapted to slide endwisebetween the fences I I and I or I2 and I5 and sidewise between fences I 3 and I1 or I4 and To provide for moving the units step by step along the tracks provided therefor, a feeding mechanism is provided along each run of tracks for pushing a line of the units therealong. One of these feeding units is shown in Fig. 5 and comprises a double-acting fluid pressure cylinder 32 Xed to the frame below the rails. A pair of crossheads 83, 3 4 are mountedv to slidelengthwise of the rails 2|, 22 in guideways `provided therealo-ng. Crosshead 34 has a rack `35 fixed to its lower face.- A similar stationary rack 36 is mounted between the rails 2|, 22. A pinion 31 is rotatably mounted on the end of the piston rod lpivotally connected between pawl 4S to which it is pivoted at 43 and crosshead 34, to which it is pivotally connected, as at 44. The arrangement is such thatas crosshead 34 is advanced it raises the hooked end 45 of pawl @-0 so as to engage back of the plate 3| and thereafter acts t0 propel the plate 3| along the rails, and as the crosshead `itis retracted the plate 3| remains stationary/,the pawl 48 is depressed, and returns toits original position. vThe rear face of the hook 45 is bevelled so as to cause it to be depressed should it strike one of the plates 3| in its retracting movement. A spring 46 acts to hold thepawl in raisedY position The arrangement is such that a series of work-manipulating machines may be The movement of the units advanced along the rails as a train, the hooked pawl engaging the back of the last machine in the train and pushing the entire train, each may chine contacting with and advancing the machine ahead of it.

A similar feeding mechanism is located between rails i9, 20 and is similarly actuated by a fluid pressure cylinder 41 'to advance the workmanipulating machines in the opposite direction along rails I9, 28.

For feeding the work-manipulating machines from the rails I9, 28 to the rails 2|, 22 over rails 24, 25 a cylinder 49 and similar rack and pinion actuated pawl, as illustrated in Fig. 3, is emf' ployed and for feeding the machines from rails the valves controlling the same are operated by l a lowpressureair supply which in` turn is controlled electrically. I

For automatically timing the movements of the work-manipulating machines about the track in.

step by step movements so as topermit operations being performed at the various stations, a

timing device is located on the frame of the ap` paratus and comprises kan electric motor 50, a reducing gear 5|, and a cam shaft -52 driven thereby. Mounted on the cam shaft is a timing cam 53 adapted to open and close a switch 54. This cam is preferably adjustable so as to cause. the switch 54 to remain closed for any desired.` period of time, suchl cams being well known in4 y the art and requiring no further description, closing of the switch 54 energizes a so-lenoid 55y which when energized lifts a valve 56 which permits `air to flow from a line 51 to a diaphragm operated hydraulic valve 58 through a pipe 59. As long as valve 58 is supplied with air under pressure through valve l56 cylinders 32, 41.are. Y

supplied with water under pressure through pipes 56, 6 I 'and their pistons are advanced. When cam 53 opens Vswitch 54,. solenoid 55 is de-energized closing valve 55 and opening a slow leak vent in pipe 59, whereupon valve 58 shifts to a position where pipes 6.8, 6| are opened to an exhaust pipedy .82 and water under pressurer is supplied to the forward en ds of cylinders 32 and 41 through pipes 63, 54 causing the' pistons to be retracted. As v cylinders 32 and 41 work in unison, machines in the two'longitudina'l trainson rails I9, 25 and ,rails 2|, 22 are moved simultaneously in oppositf directions.

To transfermachines from rails I9, 28 to rails 2|, 22 and from rails 2|, 22 to rails I9, 20, cylin-v ders 48, 49 are also operated simultaneously. For this purpose a piston type valve 65 is supplied by hydraulic pressure through a pipe B6 and is connected by a pipe 61 to the exhaustline 62. Apipe 68 connects the valve' to the rearends of cylinders 48, 49 and a pipe 69 connects the valve to the forward ends of the same cylinders,

G5 through pipes 10, 1| and a piston valve 1 2v from the air supply 51. n A pair of normally closed bleedervalves 13, 14 are connected to opposite ends of the cylinder of valve 12 but are adapted to be opened by solenoids 15, 18. mally open switches 1.1, 18 are Wired in series in the circuit including solenoid 16 and are locatedv on the ends of the frame I0 of the vapparatus Where they may be closed by contact `with work- Y Airunder pressure is supplied to each end of the valve A pair of normanipulating machines. A pair .of similar switches '19, S Yare wiredin series in a circuit includingv solenoidlS and are located on the sides of the frame ll! of the apparatus in position to be closed by work-manipulating machines.` contacting therewith. 'The arrangement is such thatV closing of both switches`.'|'|`,` 18, but not one only, will energize solenoid 'I6 opening valve '14 and causing -the pistons oi cylinders 48, 49 to advance and closing of both switches "I9, 8U, but notone only, will energize solenoidl and'cause pistons ofcylinders 48, 49 to retract.

Assuming that the advancing movement of cylinders 32, 41 is equal to the length of one of the work-manipulating machines and the advancing movement of the cylinders48,' 49Vis equal to the (width of a work-manipulating machine, and that the tracks in each direction of travel are filled to one machine less than thje length of the track, as illustratedin Fig.v l, rotation of the cam shaft `52 will cause the valve 5S to open causing cylinders 32, 4l, to advance the trainsof machines on the lengthwise tracks until.` the leading machines contact with switches TI, '18whereupon cylinders 4B, 49 will beoperated to transfer the leading machines to the cross tracks.V Uponthe leading machines onthe cross Vtracks being ad-V vanced to contact with and close switches' '19,V 8G, the pistons of cylinders 48, 49 will be retracted so as Yto be in position toengage the next machines.

`As actionof cylinders 48, 49 are dependent on,

the presence of machines contacting with theactuating switches whichrcontrol them, timing of their operation 'is dependent upon operation of cylinders 32, 4l which in turn is dependent upon the setting of the cam 53. l

Current for operating the motor Sil and energizing the Valve operating solenoid is taken from supply-lines 8|, 82 through a master switch 83- from which branchlines 84, 85 supply the motor,

switch isV closed, and` through a normally open` starting switch B9 of the push button typewhen the'solenoid switch Bl'isropen. `The arrangement is such that withswitch'l open; closing of starting switch 89 energizes solenoid S8 to.

close switchB'I. Releaseof the button opens. the solenoid circuit through the starting button but the solenoid is still, energized through the stop` button circuit. Pressing of the ,stopbutton deenergizes the Asolenoidil Aand, switch t? opens, stopping the motor.

The apparatusl of the invention is especially useful in the manipulation rof ,tire inner tubes or other articles where cut-teaming operationsare to be performed. For this purpose .each.work-. manipulating machine maybe provided `vSIitha-y` pair of seaming dies and may be constructed as" follows: f

Fixed to the plate 3|, is a rigid bracket' IiIa f which supports a pair of parallel guide rods 9|, l 92 extending lengthwise of the base plate andv h A die-head 93 is yslideably parallel thereto. mounted upon vthe` rods. 'I he bracket `350i is formed at its top with a corresponding die-head 94. and have complementary semi-cylindrical caps 95, 95 hinged thereto at the top as by pivot pins Each die head has a semi-circular seam- 97, 9B. ing die 99, im) mounted therein, and each cap has These die heads are of semi-cylindricalform lation. -The latches have operating handles retracted.

in alignment with piston rod I I8.

a complementary die IUI, |02 mounted thereon;

the dies together providing a pair of opposedcircular cut-seaming faces for cooperating to cutf seam the ends of a tube together, as illustrated in Fig. 11. Each cap has a projecting handle |03,` |04-,` by means of which its die members may be swung toward or from each other, and each arm has a latch |95, |06, pivoted thereto for detachably engaging a lug |91, |08 `on each die-head to hold the individual circular dies in assembled rewhich in the latched position extend upwardly as dothe handles on the caps. Y

'To permit placing and removal of a tube, each die-head is cut away on one side toward its cap, as at |09, III) to provide an opening. A troughlike shelf y| II isisupported from the plate 3| to support'the free portion of the tube. Supports I2, I I3 are attached to the cap members and are removable into the spaces |99, Ill! with the closing, of the caps to support the tube near the dies. In use vthe ends of the inner tubeare inserted from the openings |09, I it through the dies and are cuied backl over the projecting cutting faces of the dies as seen in Fig. 5. The dies may then be pressed `toward each other to seam the ends ofY the tube together and to cut the excess` material of the cuffs away. Thereafter the caps 95, 96 may be swung to open position to release the tube. Toprovide for applying pressure to the dies, the frameof the apparatus is provided with vertical columns I I4, I5 between which` the machines must passin their travel of the circuit. A tie beam I I6 connects the top of the columns to prevent spreading. Mounted on the column ||5 is a hydraulic cylinder III withitsl piston rod H8.

aligned atv a level with the axis of the dies. A bolster ,I IS is fastened to the opposite vcolumn |I4 The arrangement is such that when the dies are moved close 4together and the piston rod retracted, sufficient space is provided to just clear the tube seaming `machi`neas it travels along vrails. 2d, 25, and by of cylinder II'I through a pipe |26) to retract the piston |2| therein, and through a pipe |22 to the` rear of the cylinder to advance thepiston. Sup.-A

piycf num pressure to cylinder mis Controued by a four-way diaphragm-operated valve l 23 connected to the cylinder by pipes itil, |22 and to a pressure line ILdiand a pipe |25 to exhaust line 62. The hydraulic valve is operated by air pressure applied thereto, the arrangement being such that when air is applied to thevalve |23 the piston rodv IIS is advanced and when no air` pressurev is applied, the piston rod Iit will be on the cam` shaft i2, previously described. Cam.`

|26 is adapted to open a valve |23 to supply` air under pressure from'line 5l to valve |23. A` pressure reducing valve |25 regulates the pressure of the air. Cam |21 is adapted to'open a bleeder valve ISG to release the pressure on valve |23 and thereby retract the piston rod l I8. The arrangement is such that each of cams |23, v|2l7 have a in place opposite the piston rod H8, a normally closed valve |32 is located inthe pressure line between valve k|23 and valve |28 (see Figs, 6 and 7). A cam |33 is rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft |34 and is held by a coil spring |35 in such position as to permit the valve |32 to remain closed. A lever |36 is fixed to shaft |34 and extends in the path of a roller |31 rotatably mounted on an arm |38 of the tube seaming machine. When the tube seaming machine is in proper pressing position, the roller |31 deflects the arm |36 to a position where cam |33 opens the valve |32 so that air under pressure mayv pass to valve |23. Arm |38 is also adapted to close the dies to nearly their cutting position so as to reduce the stroke of the piston ||8 and avoid shock. For this purpose the arm |38 is fixed to the movable die-holder 93. A stationary cam plate |39,

through which shaft |34 is ,journaled, is fixed to frame member ||5. A diagonally disposed cam surface |49 (see Fig. 6) is fixed to the cam plate in the path of roller |31. As the tube-splicing machineV approaches the pressing station, ,the roller l 31 engages the cam surface |40 and moves the die-holder 93 toward the die-holder 94. A second diagonally disposed cam surface |4| is also fixed to the plate |39 and is adapted to engage the roller |31 to separate the dies after the seaming operation. As the tube-seaming machine leaves the pressing station the roller |31 releasen the arm |35 and engages back of the cam surface |4| forcing the dies apart.

Means are provided for automatically unlatching and opening the dies as they leave the pressing station. For this purpose a camy plate |42 (see Figs. 5 and 10) is xed to the cross-beam 5 at such a height as to kengage the arms |03, |04 and the latch arms |05, |06. A roller |43 is mounted on the plate |42 to initially engage these arms. As the tube-seaming machine leaves the pressing station the roller rst engages the latch arms, releasing the latches, and then engages the` able to provide means for cutting this ring ofwaste material so that it may be removed. For

this purpose, an electrically heated knife |44 (seek Figs. 3 and 11) is mounted above the searning dies.

at the pressing station and means is provided for forcing it against the outer surfaces ofthe dies over` which the tube is cuffed. For this purpose an air operated vertical pressure cylinder |45 is fixed to the beam l5 and the knife |44 is mounted on its piston rod i 45 and is guided against rotation by a guideway |41 fixed to the cylinder, the knife sliding in a vertical slot in the guideway. A normally closed valve |48 in a pipe |49 is adapted to supply air under pressure from the line 51 to the top of the cylinder. This valve is |50. the piston rthereof normally.` retracted. A pipe |52 connects the cylinder to pipe |22 from yvalve |23. As water from valveY |23 forcesthe piston I8 forward the water pressure in the line 'is too low to operate the piston in cylinder |50 against the resistance of spring`l5l. When piston r| |8 finishes itsforward movement and the dies are` together, pressure in line |52 builds up to a point where valve |48 is opened and the knife |44' is forced downwardly. The lower Aend of 'cylinder |45 is connected to the air supply line between the regulating valve |29 and the valverv|28 so as to This holds the knifev receive'pressure at all times. up when the'valve |48 is closed. When valve |48 is open,-the knife is forced down by the difference in pressure at opposite sides of the regulating valve. To insure itsreturn to its upward position valve |48 is provided with an exhaust vent which is opened to-pipe |49 when the valve is closedlr,l The knife |44 has a resistance coil |53 which is heated by current from lines 8|, 82 through branch'lines |54, |55 through ahandoperated switch |56.

To avoid shocks and consequent reboundwhen the work-manipulating machines reach thev end of their travel in one direction and are to be advancedin a different direction, buffer pins |51,y j

|58 are slideably mounted at the ends of the long runs in brackets such as |59 (see Fig. 8) attached to the frame of the apparatus; A vshockabsorb- To provide space between the work-manipu lating machines` for latch 45 lto entertherebetween and to provide space lfor passing the ma'` nipulating members without interfering with the buffer pins, an offsetvbracket |62 is provided on the leading end of each work-manipulating ma-` chine, and a block |63 is mounted on the opposite` end for engaging the offset bracket on the next machine.

'I'he corners of the base 3| of the machines are chamfered as at |54, |05, |56, and |51 to prevent` interference with the corners of the inside guide fences. v f

Where it is desired to separate the die holders of the tube-seaming machines further than they; can conveniently be opened and closed by theY cams |40, |4|, in the available travel, additional opening and closing means may be provided. For

this purpose a fluid pressure cylinder |58 may be xed to the framev of the'apparatus at the unloading station. Itsrespective ends are connected by pipes |59, |10 to pipes 1| and 10'1espectively so that it is operated in yunison with cylinders 48, 49, the arrangement being such that when switches 19, are closed'by the presence of tubeseaming machines at the unloading station and the diagonally opposite station so as to retract the feeding members actuated by cylinders 48,V

49, the pistonV |1| of cylinder |68 is advanced. The piston rod |12 has a flange |13 vxed thereto which engages the projecting end of rods 9|, 92l xed to the die holder 93 and slideably mounted The flange being of greater in the bracket 3|a. area than the end vof the rods engages the rodsv to eifect the opening movement even though such parts may be out of alignment.

For eiecting additional closing movement o the tube-seaming machinesan arm |15 (see Fig.` 9) `may be fixed to the frame of the apparatus at the end of rails 2|, 22 in a position to engage i `on which is fixed a bevel gear |90.

the roller |31 on arm |38 of the machine in advance of the contact ofthe base plate 3| of the machine with the end `frame, thereby causing thev die holder 03 to be moved closer to the die -holde'r9'4. i* v In the` splicing of inner tubes, after the 'ends of'thetube have been inserted in the dies and have been cuffed thereover, theexposed portions of the inside of the tube are cleaned and coated preferably with an aqueous dispersion of rubber compositions to promote adhesion. It has been found thatY the dispersedy coating should be scrubbed with a brush to obtain the best results, asis .set `forthin Leguillon Patent No. 1,921,623. Forthis purpose'power-operated scrubbing means may be provided. A 4swinging platformA |16 is pivotally mounted on a bracket |11 above one of the stations *and carries an electric motor l1@ at one end rand a'pairfof shaft-supporting brackets 2| 4;" 215,-' for. rotatably supporting'a shaft |8| at the rother. A pulley |19 on `the motor drivesa pulley |80 Xed to the shaft |81, through a r,belt |82.. A split housing |83 is ipivotally mounted on the shaft about a gear `|811 xed to the shaft.l A tube |85 extendingfrom'the housing radially of shaft |3| housesa shaft |86 on which a pinion 81 is Xed in position to engage the gear itil. The tube It supports a housing |33 at its lower end. This housing enclosesra rotatable shaft |89 A pinion |14 exea to shaft les mires the shaft its through gear |90. Shaft |09 is used to rotate a pair of removable scrub brushes VISI, '|92 adapted toengage simultaneously the opposed faces of the tube ends.

the workingV faces of the opposite brushes to permit their insertion between the tube ends, a pair `ofguide rods |93,|94 are `xed to one end ofthe housing and a similar pair of guide rods |85, |93 are fixed to the opposite end, all of the guide rods being parallel tothe shaft E39. A pair of carriages |91, |08 are slideably mounted on these rods, one at" each end of the housing. The carriages are similar and each is bored yconcentrically with the shaftV |39 to receive a ball race |93 in which a chuck 200' is rotatably,mounty ed. Each end of thev shaft |39'v is diametrically slotted as at l'fto-fslideably engage a tang 202 of the chuck and jis @axially bored to' receive a brush ejector spring 203. A coil' spring 204 encircl'estheA shaft- |`89 and chuck 200 and extends between shoulders onveach to hold the carriages 91, |98 apart. i l

A handle 205 is iiXed tothe 'housing |88`formanipulatingy the brushes with respect to the Work. A triggerl lever Zilocatedadjacent theI and engage in squared sockets 2| inchucks 200" To vprovide for controlling the distance betweenV squared bere zu and the latch spring meticu- 'ally engagesa notch in the squared shank of the 'brush to retain the same. The brushes may' be pulled from their chucks at will so as to be readily 'replacedby others.v t

In'using the scrubbing apparatus the handle 205 fis grasped byjtlie operator who depresses the trigger 206 and swings'the apparatus between the cuffed ends of the tube.- The operator then `releases the trigger and moves the brushes Vin a rotary path asfindicated in' the dot-andedash y"lines of Fig. Whenrthe scrubbing process is completed the vtriggerisagain pressed andthe scrubbing apparatus is swung out of the way.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

A mbespiiemg machine-*at station A discharges 22,122 to station B. -A.t` station B an operator insertsgthe esseci a tute in medie-'s and'cuffs them' over thedies Whereuponthe machine moves jto stationC. "At station C. the' operator applies vaicoating` ci aqueous dispersedfrubberl to the where theyrest against the compressed ejector springs 203. A latch spring 2|'2 engages a groove 2|3 in the chuckandi's'retainedin the groove under tension. At one side offthechuck the groove2'l3 is deepened so as'to intersectA the puffed tubeflends' and operates the i scrubbing mean'sas hereinabove deseribed, and themad chine is removed'tolstation D. "As `the machine mirivesl at station D it closes switch ST0 `and its dierhcldersare moved closer",togetherv and itis immediately moi/*edito station By successive movements the machine unit is# then moved throughs-tations F tol I, thus giving time for the coating on therubberto dry to the desired tacky condition; station I' vthe unit contacts 'switchfw' which it closes andl` itis immediately moved Sto? stati-'on iF between the press-ingfmech nient.; @tiring the last movement, its die holders aretmovedtogether lby cam M0' and safety valve |32" opened. The piston H8 advances and presses-the' diesftogether; 'Thereafter the heated knife descends andcuts awaythe* Waste material or1ilf1'e mtis.y After :1t-.propertime` interval has expiredasdetermiried by the setting of carns |26; 42T the heated lii'iiiel is@ Withdrawn and the` pistonv` rod- |'|'8 is; withdrawn and the machine is moved testatio'n During thisilastfmovement the' die holders-aireseparaxted by cam |541 andi the dies' are unlatchediuand opened sov that the" spliced tube drpslou't. At stations A and Fthe machines close switches 19 and 80 and cylinders 48 and/K9? are-retracted. 5' It will. beunderstood tiaft'whijlethe'` invention* is especiallyv userul inthe splicing" of inner tubes, many i'eat'uresfare applicable-tothemanufacture orcthersrtides; j t -Variationsjlmay bel made-D witheut departing' froml the scope of the invention as itis" definedA by advancing.saidunits'fromstaticn testet-tornanti" powerjmeans at astation engageablev with a unit' dperating sardi elements tof yperforrn an op'eranonA lar body of'plastic' composition;` said" apparatus comprising a plurality of independently movable* ,tube splicing machines, and means for advancing the machines step by step about a dened polygonal course and for effecting a dwell thereof between successiveA movements, each tube splicing machinel comprising a pair of opposed annular seaming dies of split construction, and means at astation along the course for pressing the opposed fdies together during adwell of the machine between movements. y

y 3. Apparatus for uniting the ends of a rtubular body of plastic composition, said apparatus comprising a plurality of independentlyy movable tube splicing machines, and means for advancing-'the machines step by step .about a dened course pasta series of operating stations ,and effecting a dwell thereof at a station between successive movements, each tube splicing machine comprising a pair ofopposed annular cuttingand seaming diesbf split construction, means at a station along the course forv pressing the opposed dies together during a dwell of themachine between movements, means for holding the split dies latched-during the pressing. operation without continuedk application of said pressing means, and means for automatically unlatcl'iing -and openingthe dies to discharge the tube during a subsequent movement of the machine. n

4. Apparatus for uniting the ends of a tubularl body ofy plastic composition, said apparatus comprising a pluralityof independently movable tube splicing machines, and means for advancing the machines step by step about a defined course and' for effectinga dwell thereof between successive movements, each tube splicing machine comprising a pair of opposed annular'seaming dies khaving means for supporting tube ends in cuffed relation, means lat a station alongv the course for pressing the opposed dies together vduring a dwell of the machine between movements, and means at the same station for severing the waste material supported by said dies.

, 5. Apparatus for uniting the ends ofa tubular body ofrplastic compositiomsaid apparatus comprising a plurality of tube splicing machines, and

means for advancing the machines step by step about a defined courseeacli tube splicing machinecomprising a pair of opposed seaming dies and, means for simultaneously scrubbing the opposed surfaces of tube ends cuifed about said dies...

6'. Apparatus for uniting the ends of a tubular bodyAof plastic composition, said apparatus comprisinga Vplurality .of tube splicing machines, andmeans for advancing the machines step ,by stepabmit a defined course, each tube splicing machine comprising a pair of opposed cutting,

and seaming dies, means for simultaneously scrubbing the opposed surfaces of tube ends cufEed about said dies, and means at a stationv along the course forpressing thescrubbed faces of the tube ends together by applying pressure to said dies.

n, 7, Apparatus for uniting the ends ofa tubular body of .plastic composition, said apparatus comprising an independently movable tube splicing unit, and means for advancing it step by step about a defined course past a series of operating stations, said tube splicing unit comprising'a pair of opposed cutting and seaming dies about which the tube'ends may be cuffed, means at a station along the course for applying seaming pressure to the dies, and means for automatically movingthe dies toward eachother as thetubefsplicing unit approaches said station. Y. f

lstation along the course for applying seaming pressure to the dies, and means for automatically moving the dies away from each other as the tube splicing unitleaves the station.y

9. Apparatus for uniting the ends. of antubular body of plastic composition, saidv apparatus comprising an independentlymovable tube splicing unit, and means for advancing itstep by 'step about a defined course past a series of voperating stations, said tube splicing yunitqcomprising l f a pair of opposed cuttingl and seaming-dies about which the tube ends may be cuied,'means. at a.

station along the course for applying seaming` pressure to the dies, andmeansat said station controlled by presence "of saidjtube splicing unit for preventing application yof seaming pressure when the tube seamingunit is vout of alignment with the pressure applying means. f

10. The method of uniting the ends of a tubu-` lar body of plastic compositicnwhichcomprises cuing the ends of the tubular'body-,about the cutting edges of thek opposed cutting and :seaming dies of a tube seaming unit,vfeeding the tubeseaming unit step by step about a defined course past a series of operating stations, and applying pressure to the seam dies 'at a stationralorng t the course to unite the ends of the body. 1l. The methodof uniting the endsoi' atubu- Y lar bcdy of plastic composition which `comprises feeding a tubeseaming unit comprising a pair of opposed cutting and seaming diesystepby step about a-dened course past a-seriesof work stations, cufi'lng the ends of a tubular body about the cutting edges of thedies at oner station, and applying pressure to the dies at another station to yseam the ends of the body together. f

12. The method of unitingathe ends of a tubular body of plastic composition which comprises feeding a tube seaming unit comprising a pair cf opposed cutting andseamingdies step by step about a denedcourse -past a series of work stations, cufng theends lof a. tubular body about' the cutting edges of the dies at one station, Y

scrubbing the' exposed faces ofthe tube ends at another station, and applying` pressure yto the dies at a third station to seam the ends of thev body together.

13. Manufacturing plurality of stations for performing successive operations upon rwork rpresentedthereto, a plu-4 rality of work-supporting units-each comprising a movable base member andfrel'atively movable article supporting members supported thereon,v

said Work-supporting units) each beingrcapable of independent movement, means for individually advancing said units from station to station, and power .means ata stations'. for engaginga unity presented in approximate alignmentwith it for performing anloperation upon the work@ 14. Apparatus for uniting the ends o'f a tubu-l lar body of plastick composition',l said apparatus comprisingl a plurality of tube'splicin'g, machines, ay powerapplying station m'eans for advancing' themachin'es step'by step vpast said station, each tube splicing machine comprising 'a' pairof op-` posed' seeming' dies. ,afi/d debatable Per/er ineens,

apparatus comprising a n@ n v2,334,105 at said station for'pressingthe` opposed dies @Y together. Y l

15. Apparatus for uniting the ends of a tubular body of plastic composition, said apparatus comprising a plurality of tube splicing machines,

a power applying station, means for advancing the machines step by step past said station, eachY work-manipulating elements mounted thereon for relative movement, means for advancing said units in succession along a course, stationary l means for moving said units in a generally lating said units in succession along said second for pressing the opposed dies to-v eral direction to a second course, means for movcourse, and aplurality of power stations adapted to'be connected to said units successively during their travel for operation of said Work-manipulating elements.

CHARLES LEGUILLON. OTTO F; HQMEIER.

plurality of Work-supporting units each capable .v of independent movement and each comprising 

